Paid a Chinese Supplier — Goods Never Arrived

Non-delivery is the most straightforward form of China trade fraud: you transferred payment, received confirmation, and then nothing happened. The factory may have gone silent, delivered empty containers, or provided endless excuses for delays before disappearing entirely.

For a detailed walkthrough of the entire recovery process, see our complete China supplier recovery guide.

What most international buyers don't realize is that Chinese law provides strong remedies for this exact situation — especially when acted upon quickly. A supplier that has taken money without delivering goods has committed both a contract breach and, in many cases, fraud under Chinese criminal law.

⚠️ Time Is Critical

Chinese suppliers who commit non-delivery often prepare to move assets. Every day without legal action gives them time to transfer money, dissolve the company, or hide behind shell entities. An asset preservation order can freeze accounts within days — but only if filed promptly.

What Counts as Non-Delivery

  • Full or partial payment made, zero goods received
  • Factory provided false shipping documentation (fake bills of lading, tracking numbers)
  • Goods shipped but containers arrived empty or with wrong items
  • Factory acknowledged receipt of payment but delayed indefinitely, then disappeared
  • Deposit paid, no production ever started, supplier cut off contact
  • Bank account changed mid-payment — possible Business Email Compromise (BEC) fraud
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$186,000 Recovered

U.S. electronics importer paid full amount for 3,000 units. Factory shipped empty boxes, then went silent. We located the legal entity, filed in Shenzhen court, and froze their accounts within 14 days. Full amount recovered within 3 months.

Documents That Strengthen Your Case

  • Purchase order or written sales contract
  • Bank transfer records or SWIFT confirmation
  • Email and messaging correspondence (WeChat, WhatsApp)
  • Supplier's business registration details
  • Any proforma invoices or payment requests
  • Fake shipping documents (if any were provided)

Missing documents? Don't worry — we work with whatever you have. Contact us to discuss what's available.

How We Recover Your Money from Non-Delivery Fraud

Our legal process is built for speed and leverage. We use Chinese law to pressure the supplier from all angles simultaneously.

Questions About Non-Delivery Claims

My Chinese supplier took my money and won't ship — what can I do?
You have strong legal options. A PRC-licensed attorney can issue a formal legal demand, apply for an emergency asset preservation order to freeze the supplier's bank accounts, and file in Chinese courts or CIETAC arbitration. Acting quickly is critical — suppliers can move or hide assets quickly. Contact us for a free assessment within 24 hours.
Can I recover money if the Chinese factory has disappeared or closed?
Often yes. Chinese companies leave extensive paper trails — corporate registrations, tax records, linked bank accounts. We can trace connected entities and individual principals. If assets still exist in China, there are legal paths to recovery even after a company appears to close.
How quickly can you freeze a Chinese supplier's bank account?
In strong cases, we can apply for a 财产保全 (asset preservation order) within days of engaging. Chinese courts can freeze bank accounts very quickly when there is clear evidence of fraud or breach of contract. Speed is everything in non-delivery cases.
What if I paid through Alibaba Trade Assurance or a platform?
Platform-based payments may have their own dispute mechanisms. However, for large non-delivery cases, pursuing legal action through us often recovers more and faster than waiting for platform dispute resolution. We'll advise on the best approach for your specific situation.

Other China Trade Dispute Recovery Services

Get a Free Non-Delivery Case Assessment

Tell us what happened — when you paid, how much, and what the factory said. We'll come back within 24 hours with an honest assessment and a recovery plan.

Free Case Review